Edward t



tat-rt EDWARD T. JENKINS, OF RAVENSYWOOD, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 86,076, dated .Taima/ry 19, 1869.

IMPRQVEMENT IN HYDRANTS The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the sama.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD T. JENKINS, of Ravenswood, Queens county, New York. have invented, made, and applied to use certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction and Operation of Hydrants; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and correct description of the saine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which- Fignre l is a top View of the wheel I-I.

Figure 2 a tcp view of the sliding bar N.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of my improved hydrant.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same.

In the drawings, like parts of the invention are pointed out by the same letters of reference.

The nature of my invention consists in certain improvements, as more fully hereinafter set forth, in the construction and operation of hydrants, so that freezing or wastage of water is prevented; and these improvements will be found particularly applicable to hydrants used in large cities for the extinguishment of tires.

To enable those skilled in the arts to make and use' my invention, I will describe the saine.

A shows an upright tube of equal calibre, and made sufficiently long to allow the plunger or piston B to rise above the discharge-opening C, upon the side of the tube A.

. Upon the `top and bottom of this tube A are secured the flanches A2 A3.

This tube is also provided, at its lower end, with an inlet, D, for the entrance of the water from the supplypipe, with which the hydrantI is to be connected in the usual manner.

E is a threaded rod inserted within the interior of the tube A, and having upon one end the wheel H, byv which it is to be manipulated, and upon its opposite end, the valve I, for closing the opening D.

This rod has upon it the collars F and G, and passes through the threaded plunger or piston B.

K shows/the valve-seat, which valve-seatis held between the anges.

M is a disk or cross-bar of metal, held to its place by bolts, and provided with a central opening, through which the threaded rod is passed.

The plunger or piston B is made of India rubber, gutta-percha, leather, or any suitable material, and is threaded through its centre, to receive the rod E, and has upon its upper and lower faces the metal capsb b2, also threaded centrally, and secured to the plunger, by pins or screws, to prevent their turning when the rod E is revolved.

N is a slotted bar, made to embrace the rod E between the disk M and the collar F, and is slotted, to admit of its being withdrawn from or placed in position over the rod E, by its being moved backward or forward upon the bolt over-which it is passed.

Such being the construction, the operation is as follows:

The hydrant i's connected with the serviceepipe leading from the main pipe.

The valve I being closed, and thepiston B being forced down to the valve-seat, no water can enter ,'the

hydrant.

By revolving the wheel H, the rod E, attached thereto, passes through the plunger B, making a fulcrum of it, and forcing open the valve I. j

The collar Gr now bears upon the disk M, making a fulcrurn ofthe collar, and causing the plunger to ascend the tube A, in which operation it is materially assisted by the pressure of the water, which follows it until it passes the exit-opening G, to which thehose is attached through which thc .wat-er passesfor use.

If, then, it be deemed necessary to interrupt the flow ofthe water, by turning the wheel in the opposite direction, the plunger will remain stationary and become the fulcrum, thev rod E ascending through it and closing the valve, and the flow of water ceases, and by reversing the motion of the wheel, it is let ou again.

' When the water is no longer needed, and it is necessary to shut oif the water entirely, and, in cold weather, to insure the operation of the hydrant, the slotted bar is placed between the disk and the collar, and serves to keep the'valve open, while the wheel, being revolved in the proper direction, the plunger descends, forcing the water remaining in the tube A through the open' ing, down into the service-pipe, when the plunger is forced down upon the valve-seat.

"he slotted bar is now removed from contact with the threaded rod, and the wheel is revolved, until the valve is brought to its seat.

Ihus it will be seen that the water remaining in the tube A is entirely removed therefrom before the valve is closed, thus obviating any liability of water freezing in the hydrant, which is of too common occurrence in large cities.

My hydrant will'be found simple in construction, readily and easily operated, and certainly presenting the advantages just set forth.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. ,The combination of a tube, A, having inlet and exit-openings, with a threaded rod, E, and piston or plungerl B, when the same shall be constructed and operate substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In combination with the tube A, the threaded rod E, piston or plunger B, slotted bar N, flange F, plate M, and valve I, when the same shall be arranged and operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

EDWARD 'l. JENKINS.

Witnesses A. SIDNEY DoANn,

Manner. 

